Wall Graffiti

It was a star-studded event. “The first of its kind;” and a handful of our kids got to be a part of it. Okay, sadly, I didn’t even know who the “stars” were, but then again, if you ask me, they were actually our kids. Never-you-mind the U.S. Consular-General, famous national artist, and local media personnel…six of our youngsters were given the opportunity to demonstrate their unique artistic talents. Now their names and work are permanently displayed in a mural painting covering one wall of the U.S. Consulate here.

In January, we were one of three agencies serving underprivileged children invited to participate in a local arts festival (co-sponsored by a local arts organization and UNICEF). The festival was intended to promote awareness of violence against children. And our clients rose to the occasion. Two days were spent painting the mural created by well-known (around here, at least) art director, Thotta Tharani, from suggestions given to him by local school children. Images included the American and national flag intertwining, kids playing basketball and cricket, kids reading in a library, symbols of peace, and other famous sites from both countries. Tharani gave our kids individual attention as he helped them improve their blending of colors and stroke movements.

It was surreal watching the care with which our kids applied these principles. True artistes. One boy brought his entire collection of pencils from home…just in case. They practiced painting within the lines the night before-and were so excited about the project that they were reportedly dressed and waiting for their 7 am pick up by 4 am!! Wah???!

Since we work with so many kids, it was hard for staff to narrow down the number of participants! Those who came had demonstrated some artistic skill, but mainly, they had to be of a certain grade level (proof that they have consistently attended school) and currently attending regularly. We wished we could have honored all our hard-working scholars**, but unfortunately, we were only allowed six (actually, five, but the organizers let us squeeze one more in…Ha ha- take that Consulate security!).

At the close of Day 1, we took the children to a local beach. Four of the six had never been to the beach. The thrill of this new experience was apparent in their high-pitched squeals of delight while jumping in the waves and building sand castles near the water's edge. Before leaving the beach, my co-worker treated the children to ice cream cones. It was a good time. Especially, getting to see these young people just being kids!

Once back in the car, my co-worker asked all our little artists, "What will you do now? Rest?” Amidst protests, one of the six mischievously replied, "No, Madam, we are too excited to sleep. We will play games all night." Of course, by the time the vehicle reached the lodge that was housing the children and their parents for the weekend, all six were sound asleep.

Day 2 found the children just as excited as the day before. As the mural neared completion, the children met with the local U.S. Consul General and members of the press. Before the children left town, we brought their parents (who, due to consulate security regulations, hadn’t been given permission to attend the event) to see the finished product. Each child was able to point out his/her signature that had been ceremoniously inscribed onto the wall earlier that day.

Despite my inability to converse with the kids, they were fantastic about helping me feel included in the fun. I was left alone with them for twenty minutes, as we waited for their parents to arrive, and they all became my language teachers and dressed me up to look as local as possible…I think it was in an attempt to marry the old “spinster” (as any single female is referred to-at age 18, 28, or 38…it doesn’t matter) off to one of the local men working at the event. The big tipoff was when they made the two of us pose for a picture with him handing me a “ring.” Oh, those kids…such a riot.

The chance to bond with our kids more made this weekend of working from the wee hours of the morning (without comp time, mind you) absolutely worth every minute. I love my job.

**The drop-out rate in the villages is extremely high, and fluctuates constantly. Many of the children we work with have either a) been forced to work alongside their parents or grandparents (some even as young as five); or b) never had the opportunity to attend school before their release. This creates any number of challenges as they try to transition back to village life. Knowing what a struggle it was for me to sit in a classroom, I can only imagine how difficult it must be for our kids to suddenly be expected to sit at a desk, listen to a teacher, complete homework assignments, take tests…even holding a pencil or drawing are novelties for some of our clients. For those youths that are still too young to work full-time, starting in a classroom full of kids half your age can be too embarrassing. Others try to start in classrooms part-way through a school year…any of us would struggle to catch up!

Basic classroom etiquette aside, lots of our kids are dealing with the trauma of forced servitude, and often, additional physical or sexual abuse. While corporal punishment is illegal here, it is still a common classroom practice. To be beaten by a teacher could easily re-traumatize our clients. Several clients claim to fear a teacher. Asking that teachers not hit students, however, is seen as ludicrous, since this is not viewed in the villages, and even by many in the city, as abuse or excessive.